Visual Communications

Program Announcement

The Visual Communications program provides a strong technical foundation to prepare students for visual media careers. The program fosters a creative learning environment where students have access to state of the art equipment, current software, and instruction in a variety of visual media fields. Students are challenged to expand and refine problem-solving skills while experiencing realistic class projects and job situations in preparation for success in the workforce. Students learn design principles, current imaging technology, business practices, and portfolio development.

The Graphic Design, Multimedia Design, Photography, and Web Design concentrations of the Visual Communication Associate of Applied Science degree program prepare students for careers in print, multimedia, photography, or Web industries.

2013–2014 Advising Sheets

Graphic Design

Students who select a Graphic Design concentration will prepare for a career designing and producing printed materials. This can include anything from advertising, books, magazines and posters to packaging or instruction manuals. Nashville is one of the printing capitals of the world and home to multiple publishing houses, advertising agencies and related businesses. The Visual Communications industry represents a sizable employment segment of the Nashville/Davidson County economy.

Graduates from the Graphic Design concentration will be employed in jobs which require the traditional artist's hand as well as computer skills. Our program provides the necessary foundations in color, design and typography in conjunction with the leading software used to lay out pages, edit photos and create illustrations. Our classrooms are equipped with Macintosh computers like those used by the vast majority of professionals in this industry.

Multimedia Design

The multimedia concentration prepares students for entry level positions in multimedia and new media development. The program exposes students to a variety of media production and editing disciplines so they will understand and feel comfortable working with all types of digital media.

The program is rooted in sound graphic design fundamentals and then expands students' media repertoire with a working knowledge of pre-visualization techniques like scriptwriting and storyboarding. Students gain technical proficiency using industry standard hardware/software tools for creating desktop audio, desktop video, digital photography, and digital image manipulation. Students learn how to integrate those diverse media types into a coherent presentation and publish the results to both online and physical delivery. Lastly, students create a capstone project demonstrating competency in taking a multimedia production from concept to completion. Upon completion of the program, the graduate should be a capable addition to any multimedia production team.

Photography

The study of photography means different things to different people. Many people consider it an exciting hobby while others wish to make a career out of their passion for photography. The photography program at Nashville State prepares students with the skills necessary to achieve their photographic goals.

With the recent advancements in digital technology, the profession of photography has undergone many changes. The faculty at Nashville State has responded to the changes by constantly reviewing the curriculum to help ensure that our students are receiving an education with a strong foundation in both the time honored traditional and most current digital technologies.

Students can earn either a Technical Certificate in Photography or an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Visual Communications with a concentration in Photography. The photography program at Nashville State prepares students to work as lab technicians, photographer’s assistants, commercial, staff or studio photographers.

Web Design

The Web Design concentration will prepare students for a career designing web pages and web sites. The program includes fundamental principles of design, production techniques for Web graphics and Web page content, and strategies for effective site development using W3C standards. Elective courses allow students to specialize in advanced Web design topics.

Students learn to think critically to plan the structure, usability, accessibility, and navigation of a Web site; create and employ Web graphics; create Web pages using HTML, CSS, and industry-standard Web authoring software; and determine the usability of Web site prototypes through hands-on testing.

Students can earn an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Web Design, or can earn a Technical Certificate in Web Page Authoring. Additionally, we offer courses (in cooperation with the CIS department) which help students prepare for CIW (Certified Internet Webmaster) industry certification exams.

Career Services and Cooperative Education

The college has a very active Career Services Office that assists students, graduates and alumni with their career and employment needs.

Cooperative work experience can be an important addition to a student’s formal classroom work. Co-op courses may substitute for technical courses with the prior approval of the Program Coordinator. The Career Services Office will provide the correct course numbers. For more information about cooperative work experience opportunities, please visit the Career Services Office Web site, phone 615-353-3248, or e-mail careerservices@nscc.edu.

Nashville State Community College is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. Full Non-Discrimination Policy